Million Dollar Triple Crown

masters-pipeline-final-022The winter surf is starting to roll in with its annual fury upon the North Shore of Oahu. Professional surfers are arriving daily from all over the world with the desire to prove their skills against the power and majesty of these winter waves, each desiring to out perform the other. Not that additional fuel would be necessary to fan the fire in each competitor’s heart, now Vans and Rockstar Energy Drink have announced an increase in the total purse that will set a new record for any surf event ever…now at $1,000,000. More than 150 surfers from 17 nations have a crack at the loot as the series kicks off this Thursday, November 12, at Haleiwa.

If that was not enough, not since 2006 and the world title battle between Kelly Slater (Florida) and Andy Irons (Hawaii) has anticipation been as high. Based on current rankings and estimates, it is entirely possible that the climax to the triple crown this year will be the final heats of the Billabong Pipeline Masters (starting December 8th), which looks to pit fellow Australians Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning against each other in a final showdown for the 2009 ASP World Title. If so, one or the other will walk away with the title and a record $230,000 at the end of the contest.

The events of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing this year are:

Reef Hawaiian Pro (men) – Haleiwa Ali’i Beach Park, Nov, 12-23

Vans Hawaiian Pro (women) – Haleiwa Ali’i Beach Park, Nov, 17-23

Gidget Pro Sunset Beach (women) – Sunset Beach, Nov. 24-Dec. 6

ONeill World Cup of Surfing (men) – Sunset Beach, Nov. 24-Dec. 6

Billabong Pro Maui (women) – Honolua Bay, Maui, Dec. 8-20

Billabong Pipeline Masters (men) – Banzai Pipeline, Dec. 8-20

This year you will be able catch the excitement live at www.triplecrownofsurfing.com. Hawaii residents can also watch the tournament live from the comfort of their own living rooms with Oceanic Time Warner Cable airing each day of competition live on dedicated channel 250. Additionally, parts of the Billabong Pipeline Masters will air live on national television on FUEL TV. Or better yet, come stay at Turtle Bay Resort and take advantage of the special Vans Rate and watch it all live in person. For rates and booking information call (808) 293-6000 and ask for the Van Special Rate.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 9:18 pm and is filed under Surfing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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